Manie Libbok was the one recognised 10 in South Africa’s squad for the World Cup in France that options 4 scrum-halves, although the 26-year-old Stormers star can have full-back Damian Willemse as cowl, if Handre Pollard doesn’t get well from harm to play some half within the event in France.

Meaning, undoubtedly, an excessive amount of stress is on the 26-year-old Libbok’s shoulders, who heads into the World Cup with fewer than 10 caps and fewer than a handful of begins to his title.

So, who’s the participant entrusted with piloting the defending champions in France?

Associated: South Africa Rugby World Cup squad 2023 – 33-man group introduced

Ten issues you should find out about Manie Libbok

1 Immanuel ‘Manie’ Libbok was born in Humansdorp, Jap Cape, on July 15, 1997. 

2 His first provincial choice got here in 2013. He represented Jap Province on the Below-16 Grant Khomo Week.

3 He moved to George, Western Cape, in 2014, the place he attended Hoërskool Outeniqua. On the prestigious Below-18 Craven Week in 2015, he scored a tournament-leading 43 factors in three matches, together with 21 towards former aspect Jap Province. His 4 tries have been the joint second-highest within the competitors.

4 That efficiency earned him a call-up to South Africa’s squad for the 2015 Below-18 Worldwide Sequence. He began matches towards Wales and England, and was on the bench for the win over France as South Africa swept the collection. 

Learn extra: Who’re the Springboks enjoying on the World Cup?

5 Libbok performed at fly-half and full-back on the 2016 World Rugby U20 Championship in Manchester. South Africa beat a France aspect that included a sure Antoine Dupont en path to a fourth-place end.

6 He was thought of one thing of an expensive legal responsibility. However after struggling for a beginning function at Bulls and Sharks, Libbok is now one of many first names on the Stormers team-sheet.

7 Libbok helped Stormers to the inaugural URC title within the 2021-22 season. He was instrumental, too, as they reached the 2022-23 remaining, which they misplaced to Munster.

8 He topped the URC points-scoring tally within the 2022-23 season, with 217 for Stormers, together with six tries, and added an additional 29 in 4 Champions Cup outings. In keeping with URC figures, his 978m gained was the most effective of any participant final season.

9 Libbok made his senior Springboks debut as a substitute within the 30-26 defeat towards France in November 2022. His first senior worldwide begin got here towards Australia within the 2023 Rugby Championship. And he was the one out-and-out 10 named in South Africa’s 33-player squad for the World Cup.

10 He was not too long ago on the radar of High 14 aspect Racing 92, as a substitute for Finn Russell. However he turned down a post-World Cup transfer to France in favour of extending his stick with URC aspect Stormers by means of to 2027.

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